We have enjoyed several BBQ dinners over the years at Busters BBQ in suburban Milwaukee (OR) on 99E just above the 205 interchange. Not top-of-the-line BBQ but very good, a convenient location, and moderate prices.

AND... While not in the City, We make a point out of visiting CAMP 18 on the road to the shore from The Portland metro area. We really like the CAMP 18 Breakfasts!

I don't want you to think that just because I don't swing by every time and tell you, that I am not reading this thread with interest. I am about to plan my travel out west, and I have made notes of a few places that I would like to hit on this next trip out your way. Keep all the reviews coming...can't wait to see you and the family again!

In the first post, the original poster referred to the local paper as the "Portland Oregonian," so you couldn't have read too far before you knew it wasn't about Maine. Forget about the fact that Portland, OR is about ten times the size of Portland, ME - and the last thing most folks around here would claim is that there is a "west coast bias."

We have enjoyed several BBQ dinners over the years at Busters BBQ in suburban Milwaukee (OR) on 99E just above the 205 interchange. Not top-of-the-line BBQ but very good, a convenient location, and moderate prices.

AND... While not in the City, We make a point out of visiting CAMP 18 on the road to the shore from The Portland metro area. We really like the CAMP 18 Breakfasts!

My son Sam especially loves Buster's. Al's description is accurate. Good and cheaper than flying to Texas. I like the brisket and smoked turkey.

(40) Victory Cafe-Spaetzle 3652 S.E. Division (503)-236-8755 Portland These spaetzles are delightful. Small Dumplings serves with Gruyere cheese and a side of applesauce are the perfect accompaniment to the inventive cocktails and belgian beers sold at Victory Cafe (41) Spella Caffe-Expresso S.E. 9th and Alder (503)-421-9723 Portland This trailer serves the smoothest expresso I have drunk in Portland A nice frothy brew, strong , dark, flavorful A minutes worth of work produces a heavenly experience worth the wait. Always crowded, only open weekdays. (42) Camelia Lounge- Dragon Chips 510 N.W. 11th Ave (503)-221-2130 Portland I feel almost scizophrenic when I come here. There is a lot of emphasis on tea and the health benefits of tea. Yet they brag a lot about their mixed alcoholic drinks featuring tea. And the most popular dish is dragon chips. homemade potato chips served wiht layers of monterey jack, blue cheese, green onions and ckicken breast with buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing, Greasy, unhealthy and wonderful. Maybe the teas will restore health.

I thought that Outlaw BBQ in Clackamas was pretty good when we tried it last year. I'll have to give Buster's a try sometime.

So who's got the best hot dog in PDX?I heard Nick's Coney Island has reopened...as good as before?Wayne's Chicago Red Hots?Super Dog?Zach's Shack?Otto's?

Otto's is probaly the best hot dog place with its outdoor grill and superb dogs. Wayne's Hot Dogs would pass muster in Chicago and it is a kick to see all the Chicago sports memorabilia. Zack's is good and open late

We often are in Portland since it is only an hour and a half from beautiful downtown Tillamook on the coast. Thanks, mr chips, for the list of many fine places to try. I've been to some and will second the choice for pizza by mentioning Apizza Scholls again and adding Esparza's Tex Mex Cafe on 28th & Ankeny off SE Burnside. I haven't been there in a while but shall return soon. Bye the way, for a nice relaxing place to eat on the coast try Pirate's Cove, just north of Garibaldi,for some good seafood and the best view.

I've not had lamb spare-ribs before but this Texas style barbecue's crunchy version is an excellent way to start. Chewy and blackened, I like them a lot. The Frito pie here is the real attraction.Beef brisket is included and its addition to the fritos and chile makes the dish. (44) A Pizza Scholls- Caesar Salad 4741 S.E. Hawthorne Portland, Or 97215 (503)-233-1286

This place was featured in an Anthony Boudain episode about Portland. It is locally famous for NY thin crust pizza and a memo that threatened to throw out parents with misbehaving children. it also closes whenever the pizza runs out. The Caesar salad may be the best thing on the menu. Lots of anchovies, a whole head of lettuce and generous portions of all the ingredients make it a filling and tasty side dish that goes well with what may be Portland's best pizza.

The pies here are some of Portland's best. Fresh fruit pies, cream pies, pecan pies to die for. Portland has lots of places to get good expresso but pies this good are rare. And the decor of political and civil rights photos is a lot of fun.

This grocery featured wood-fired pita bread with a hearty smokey flavor. My favorite sandwiches were falafels and schwarmas of the lamb and beef varieties. The grocery also features middle eastern drinks such as yogurt soda and fruit drinks of rose hip, mulberry, and date juice. A great stop for any foodie.

Portland has a veritable plethora of good expresso places that feature excellent coffee. What differentiates them is food options. Back to the Grind features Cincinnati native Joni Fox's quite authentic Cincinnati style chile. Ms. Fox makes the spaghetti fresh for each plate and the dish has a hint of chocolate and cumin. There is little local familiarity with the dish(Ms. Fox tells me some folks order a one way!) but I believe Ms. Fox's work would pass muster in the Queen City. While no one ought to come to Portland just to eat Cincinnati style chile, this place serves the real deal and I hope homesick Ohioans and curious locals will sample the fare here.

(48) Voodootoo Too-Donuts 1501 N.E. Davis Portland

After being featured on Man Vs. Food, Anthony Boudain's show , the latest Stern roadfood book, and this website, Voodoo Donuts does not need much help from me. The Bacon Maple bar, the Memphis mafia combo of peanut butter, chocolate and banana, and the strawberry filled eponymous voodoo donut remain taste destinations for any serious donut lover. The new location is off a major street and features a lot more parking. It does not have the grit of the downtown location( I miss the homeless guys and the denizens of the low-rent hotel next to the downtown store) but the menu is the same and the parking is easier if you want a quick grab and go. But any serious roadfooder needs to stop here.

Mr. Chips - Have you checked out Christopher's Gourmet Grill on MLK yet? I've only been in once and had the Double Cheeseburger, but it was the best burger I've had in a long time! The meat was so tasty I could have eaten it plain, but all the toppings were great too. A friend had the Man Up Cheeseburger which included 2 8-oz patties, double cheese, great hot links, bacon & egg - too much to eat, but he managed by giving us all a taste. The fries were fresh and wonderful. They also have Philly's (recommended by friends), Jerk chicken, ribs, seafood baskets, wings, etc. The place looks a little rough, but the folks inside are really nice and the owner goes out of his way to make sure you enjoy your food. We've been dreaming about the burgers and want to go back today!!!

Whoops - sorry about the Christopher's post, I re-read the topic and then realized you were talking about Oregonian best of... I'm more of a Willie Week Cheap Eats person right now. Isn't it about time for the new issue to come out?

Nancy, I'm trying to change the focus. Honestly I'm just writing up the places i like. Christopher's sounds like a great spot and I will try it. WW's cheap eats is a great source of info and their recommendations are spot on.

The name says it all. This is a bistro featuring excellent but pricey entrees that would pass muster in the crescent city. My favorite appetizer is the oyster shooter in jalapeno infused vodka which is a true sensual sensation. The french quarter martini is a shoot the moon beverage with pomegrante, infused vodka and vermouth. I tend to like sweet drinks and this is one of the best I've ever had (50) El Burrito Loco-Chile Cheese Fries 3126 N.E. 82nd Portland, Or (503)-252-1343

This is a humble dish served with a spicy but not overwhelmingly hot sauce, just the right amount of cheese and fries. A delightful blue-collar food that goes down well. I also love the special quesadilla, a cheese sandwich made with pastrami served in a tortilla that is an odd but endearing combination of tastes

Nancy Lynette's above post references Willamette Week's( a local weekly) cheap eats guide. It is a fantastic resource of good and cheap eats and i will be sampling as many as possible. I hope Nancy and others will chip in and talk about their favorite haunts. I will certainly do so . And for the record, I am no longer relying on the Oregonian's best of list. (51)Dalo's Kitchen-Vegetarian Plate 4134 N. Vancouver Portland-(503)-808-9604

This may be the best meal deal in Portland. $4.99 buys you 4 vegetables(I had spicy lentils, spinach, collard greens) that are quite flavorful and all the enjera bread bread you can eat. Trudy has lamb and three sided. With a glass of Ethiopian honey wine, we had a substantial good meal for under $18.00. We went on a Friday and there was live music and a number of babies and toddlers that gave the place a real family feel.

(52)Seoul Solong Tang- Seoul Solong Tang 8305 S.E. Powell Portland-(503)-775-1223 It's easy to miss this place. The sign is in Korean and the main dish reads like an English typographical error but the food is no joke. The soup is a broth that you spice to taste with green onions and salt and pepper. A large side of kim chee comes with the meal. The chef speaks little english and is eager to have you sample her wares, asking if you like it. She was very proud of her Willamette Week review.My waitress was from L.A. 's Koreatown and was a helpful guide on proper etiquette as well as having a perfect valley girl accent. I know Korean may be the least known of the Asian foods but this place is a wonderful introduction.

La Calaca Comelona is a part of the rich and varied Portland mexican food scene. There is a detailed explanation on the menu on why burritos are not offered on the menu. The place's name means hungry skeleton in Spanish and its decor features many sculptures, prints and figurines of skeletons as well as the obligatory Frida Kahlo prints and photos. The food is Mexican regional. The most unusual item is Chapulines de Oaxaca or fried grasshopper. They are served with chile flakes and slathered in lime juice. Son Sam thought they were a little too limey but was satisfied with their satisfying crunch. I like them a great deal, especially mixed with the flavorful red sauce. Sam and I had salads, Sam an avocado salad with a lot of onion, me a cactus salad that was flavorful and rich. Our desserts were dishes I have not seen on other menus. Sam had jericalla, a cinnamon flavored custard that was light and not too sweet. I had capiroda, a bread pudding with raisins, cajila cheese and raw brown sugar that was a pleasant mix of tastes. La Calaca Comelada is not your father's Mexican restaurant. But for those willing to expand their horizons, it is a wondrous experience.

Casa de Tamales is the restaurant outpost of the locally famous Canby Asparagus Farm, which has been serving locavore tamales at Portland's Saturday market for a few years. The tamales are made with local chicken, and beef, almost always accompanied by asparagus. The most notable dish is the Nacatamal, a Nicaraguan style tamale filled mashed potatoes, bell pepper,chicken,rice, olives, plum, raisins, and artichoke. It is the size of a large dumpling, served on a Nicaraguan banana leaf with sides of sour cream, beans and rice. A huge meal, very tasty.

An update on previously mentioned places. "Lovely Hula Hands"(number 23) has closed, much to the regret of Portland foodies. Number 35" Cafe Be Van" has closed thoiugh Bubble tea is available at Vietnamese places all over Portland.